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“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:9

December 21, 2013

Day One: Lapland Trip Lempaala to Oulu

20th December 2013

Well, yesterday was the day we set out to travel by car from my grandma's cottage in Lempaala to Oulu. By we, I mean my grandparents, auntie, uncle and cousins along with Harri. We started our day when the alarm rang out at 5:15 a.m. I have to say, I was amazed at how fast everyone became awake after around 6 to 7 hours of sleep! From then on the day went so fast that it went by as a blue, snowy blur...

The previous day Harri and I had left school early and got a train at 5:13 p.m. from Helsinki to Lempaala for the holidays. We had been so tired that by the time we got on the train Harri lost the ticket which he was sitting on. After we retrieved it, we talked about nonsence topics and enjoyed the absent view from the darkness. Anywayz, needless to say we enjoyed that train trip:)

The next day, Friday, we woke up and were dragged into the car by an invisible magnet with Lapland written on it. We were all asleep, and found it difficult to stay awake. However, we did all managed to find the wonder in the trip.

The darkness of the day made me annoyed. I was prepared for reading and knitting, but not for reconnaisance. Sitting and doing nothing is hard for me, but I listened to some christmas carols and was fine. When the sun did finally rise it was around 10:30 a.m., and I was bored. Not that I was finding it difficult to find something to do, which I was, but because I was tired out. I started knitting, but had to stop because I was really not sure if what I was dong was correct, and I couldn't be bothered to check:)

Luckily, we stopped along the way a couple of times for bathroom breaks and food. We all had a large buffet at an ABC roadhouse, and were full enough to continue another couple of hours to our hotel in Oulu. The scenery was gorgeuos, as always, which Ella complemented by saying "It's like a dream". Well, in truth it is a dream, because Mummu has dreamt of this moment for as long as I can remember...

Ella, my beautiful cousin.

Finally, we arrived at our amazing hotel. All-in-all, I think it is safe to say that we were all in awe. Kai kept jumping on the snow saying "Laura, come here. Look at the snow, It's so deep!" I think it would be a lot for a seven year old to take in:)

Kai, my other handsome cousin.

Eden Sokos Hotel in Oulu. It was very child-friendly, because we found a rubber duck on the desk in our room. Can you believe that it was only 30 euro for both Harri and I for extra beds in the room and breakfast?!?

We had checked in, been to the room, and put our swimmers one by the time Mummu decided she was sleepy. 'Bout time Mummu!!:) We had seen the pictures online, but nothing had prepared us for the vast area displaying a huge pool packed with slides and spas. I was overjoyed, and we headed straight to the slide :D As eigtheen year olds do...

Well, that was about it. After swimming we ate dinner, watched 'The Paradise', and went to sleep. The next time we were in the car we would be off to Santa land in Rovaniemi, and finally our rental in Levi.

Miss you too! Thank you for your comment:) you are so thoughtful... We should chat sometime on skype! Looking forward to hearing about your plans after school... Are we still meeting in Eqypt:D hehe...